Weekend in Phoenixville

If you swore at the last Blobfest you’d come back to Phoenixville but never found the time, put aside the chores. Pick up your phone and pretend you’re a tourist.

A whirlwind weekend in Phoenixville might be just what you need!

4 p.m. — Ready, Set, Go

To hit the ground walking, check in at Mainstay Inn on Bridge Street. Drop your gear at the small, friendly, family-run accommodations in the heart of the borough.

Slip on your walking shoes and take a sneak peek at what your weekend in town has in store for you. Wander sidewalks and a rainbow crosswalk. Window-shop past bright blue street lamps while working up an appetite. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more vibrant, eclectic place that has something for every taste.

Take the challenge: Starting at the Phoenixville Mural at Bridge and Main, how many murals, indoors or out, can you find over the weekend? How many creative forms of street art can you snap and post for friends to guess where you are?

And, check the community calendar for festivities — there’s almost always live music, a show or festival to enjoy.

6 p.m. — Dine with Passion

Head back to Mainstay Inn and Il Granaio, where authentic Italian cuisine awaits your tastebuds. Owned separately, but located at the hotel’s site, the local favorite serves up homemade meatballs, veal saltimbocca and gnocchi pomodoro with rich tomato and garlic that will leave you singing Italian love songs before dessert.

Or if your weekend involves a milestone celebration, head three miles outside town into lovely countryside for an elegant dinner under chandelier light. Reserve a table at the Kimberton Inn, cozy up to the fireplace and luxuriate in lobster bisque, local cheeses, grilled Australian lamb chops or vegan and vegetarian dishes. Even if it’s not late, indulge in the After Midnight chocolate cake with ganache, cream and raspberry coulis.

8:30 p.m. — Fun and Games

As your weekend heats up, start the next adventure in the dungeon … that’s the Fun Dungeon on Main Street. It’s an amusement buffet of brews, beverages, billiards and classic and modern arcade games — pinball, darts, pool and more.

For more activity, bounce over to the Conshohocken Brewing Company’s Rec Room. The brewpub offers table tennis, foosball and shuffleboard in a lively atmosphere.

When you’re out of breath, The Fenix is just a few steps away. Find drinks and an acoustic band or, every third Friday a month, cool live jazz.

11 p.m. — Nightcap on the Roof

Phoenixville offers some great night life for night owls. The Analog Bar Room and Beer Garden on the roof of Bistro on Bridge stay open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Make new friends over beers served from a VW bus. Strike up a conversation over vintage cocktails. From the bird’s eye view, get a few glimpses of places you’ll have fun the next day.

Hint: While there you might also discover another mural.

Saturday 9 a.m. — Up and Out with the Chickens

Start your day fresh with a visit to the Phoenixville Farmers’ Market. Even in October, find local cheeses, honey and artisan foods to take home. It’s not too early to pick up a new roast of coffee beans and maple syrup for holiday breakfasts. Delight in Hickory Grove Gardens’ fresh heirloom chrysanthemums. Find beeswax candles from nearby Jardine Apiaries. It’s all under the Gay Street Bridge along the French Creek Trail.

10 a.m. — Breakfast with Joe

Get your go juice at Steel City Coffeehouse & Brewery. From the corner window at the heart of town, people-watch while you sip any of a smorgasbord of coffee drinks and sink your teeth into a house-made pop tart.

If you’re in a rush to hit the sidewalks, order ahead for a sweet brew and New York bagel with garden veggie or strawberry cream cheese from Sweet Brew Cafe.

11 a.m. — One-of-a-Kind Shopping

Discover trendy trinkets to take back for those left at home or get an early start on holiday treasure hunting. Crisscross Main and Bridge Streets anytime something delightful catches your eye, or methodically head up one side of the street, turn the corner and return down the other.

Oh, the choices! With Artifaqt’s exquisite, handcrafted platters, wooden bowls, glass-topped cheese domes and candles, you’ll never eat at a ho-hum table again. The sublime creations are by John Luttman and his sons, a company of candlemakers that design serve-ware for Michelin-star restaurants and occasionally host concerts in their woodshop on Main Street.

Step over to Bridge Street into Refinery for jeans, clothing and woven handbags — clutch, totes and crossbody styles — that can take you from professional workday to an evening out.

Jacaranda Boutique offers fashions to wear right then and there, gifts and home goods such as irresistible tea towels — one for you and one for a friend. Whether you crave art for your fingers and wrists, or for your house, the Diving Cat Studio Gallery has a selection of items designed to express your individuality.

If your shoes aren’t as comfortable as you need for more zooming around Phoenixville, All Kinds of Fast has all kinds of running shoes. Want a good book but don’t have time to browse? Reads & Company offers staff picks to get you engrossed in a good book. Make Fido’s day when you walk back in the door with a treat from Maddie’s Castle.

2 p.m. — Take a Break

When you’ve worked up an appetite from some serious retail therapy, or if someone in your party wants to watch a game while you carry on with gusto, take a detour. Watch the big screen over a halal smashburger with the works or a vegan burger at new Cousin’s Burger, on Bridge Street near the corner of Main. Or cheer for the best team over a Guinness at Molly Maguire’s.

3 p.m. — Lovely Luxury

Time for a bit of pampering!

Take a break from the bustle of Bridge Street for a facial at Glow Skin Boutique Spa. Their personal attention, the soothing atmosphere and one of the most recommended facials in Phoenixville will leave you beaming.

Another possibility: thank those feet that just took you around town. The Spa La Care Aroma’s services include reflexology and aromatherapy.

5 p.m. — Rejuvenate

Spend a moment with a pick-me-up before your evening reservations. An Irvine’s espresso martini at The Boardroom gets rave reviews. Grab your Brazilian coffee, dark chocolate, Madagascar vanilla and vodka adorned with three espresso beans at the bar and relax on the sofa by the fire pit.

Or go for a new twist on an ancient drink. The Philadelphia Mead Company just came up with Cafemel — a rich, wild concoction of local Cultura Coffee’s Always Sunny coffee cold-brewed in mead — fermented honey, often hailed as the original alcoholic drink. Inhale those notes of chocolate. Pop back to the Fun Dungeon to find a glass.

7 p.m. — It’s Showtime

The Colonial Theatre presents film fun, including “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Oct. 4), “Young Frankenstein” (Oct. 17) and “Halloween” (Oct. 24). Add a selfie in front of the theater’s marquee — pictured in Newsweek in 2023 — to your weekend’s social media spree.

9:30 p.m — Dinner After the Show

Even after the spotlight is off, there’s another highlight and a little more applause to find at Sedona Taphouse. Walk down to the rollicking pub for a great dinner inside or out and a good view of Phoenixville’s night life. The long menu has ample handhelds and mains of seafood, pasta and wood-grilled faves. Options for brews and wines are vast. Mocktails Marrakesh mint and green tea mules keep your party going while the moon shines.

Sunday Coffee

Head home with one final stop for a café cup of coffee at Kimberton Whole Foods. Pick up last-minute artisan foods — organic fairly traded Singing Dog vanilla syrup or vanilla Celtic salt for your foodie friends to sprinkle on steamed veg or chocolate confections. Discover gifts of essential oils and hand creams with botanicals.

What a weekend! And there’s more to return to.

So… how many murals did you find?

For more, go to PhoenixvilleFirst.org.

Phoenixville Events This Season

The Colonial Theatre, Through December 20
Look for the October lineup of thriller movies—old and new cult classics. Nov. 8, Kansas and Styx tributes; Nov. 29, yatch rock; Dec. 13, Annual Children’s Christmas Party; Dec. 20, A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Mintel Quartet. 227 Bridge St.
TheColonialTheatre.com

39th Annual Phoenixville Run, October 1–25
Oct. 1–25, Virtual Challenge. Oct. 25, in-person 5K and 10K events. Benefits Citizen Advocacy of Chester County. Reeves Park, 2nd Ave. & Main St. 8:30 am. $40. Phoenixville.org

Flocktoberfest, October 11
Phoenixville will celebrate its new status as an official Bird Town with the first annual Flocktoberfest, showcasing bird conservation, community creativity and eco-living in honor of World Migratory Bird Day. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 Church St. Noon to 4. SaintPetersChurch.net

Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat, October 25
Food, music, games, costume contest and more at Phoenixville Recreation Center, 501 Franklin Ave. Noon to 3. Free. Phoenixville.org

8th Annual Phoenixville Bed Races, November 1
Race teams will build, decorate and race beds on wheels to raise funds for Ann’s Heart and Good Samaritan Services. Start at Reeves Park, 2nd Ave. & Main St. 11 to 2. PXVBedRaces.org

Phoenixville Public Library Wine, Wit & Wisdom, November 6
The event will include a silent auction, wine tasting, dinner, an acclaimed author and more. RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve, 100 Rivercrest Dr. 6 pm. $100–$140. PhoenixvilleLibrary.org

German Christmas Market, November 22
Experience the magic of a German Christmas Market at Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin Ave. Noon to 6. PhoenixvilleChamber.org

Burn Off the Bird 5K, November 29
The 5K Race & 1-mile Fun Run begins and ends at Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin Ave. Benefits the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation to fund community events. 8:30 to 11 am. Phoenixville.org

Feel the Holiday Spirit in Phoenixville, December 5
First Friday Holiday Edition and tree lighting downtown, 6:30 pm, with family-friendly activities throughout that weekend. PhoenixvilleFirst.org

25th Annual Candlelight Holiday Tour, December 6
The Phoenixville Area Senior Center is hosting the Marketplace (food, drinks, holiday vendors) from 3 to 7. Tour starts at the Center, 4 to 8, with transportation. Benefits the Senior Center. $30–$35. 153 Church St. On Facebook

Firebird Festival, December 13
The event fosters a collaboration of local artistic and creative talent to enhance the cultural life of Phoenixville. Burning of the Firebird at Veteran’s Field, 192 Mowere Rd. 5 to 10 pm. $30–$140. FirebirdFestival.com

A Taste of Phoenixville, January 2026
A premier food, wine and beer event. Live music. Benefits the Good Samaritan Shelter. Franklin Commons, 400 Franklin Ave. 6 to 10. TasteOfPhoenixville.com